Basic Kitchen Design – Start Planning Your Dream Kitchen

Thinking about remodeling your kitchen?  Here are a few basics and recommendations from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) on space requirements and layouts.  Get out your tape measure, sharpen your pencil and start planning.

The classic kitchen design is based on the “work triangle” that ties together the refrigerator, the cooking area and the sink for convenience and efficiency.  Distances from the center of each area should be no more than 9 ft and no less than 4 feet.  It’s best to vent your cooking area to the outside, but if you have a window you will probably want to put your sink under it.

NKBA recommends 13’2” countertop frontage for workspace.  A space of at least 36” in your main work area is helpful, and you’ll need a minimum of 15” of countertop next to the oven and fridge, so you have a spot to place things you are transferring in or out (hot dishes, a cold gallon of milk). 

Islands are a versatile addition to your kitchen plan.  They can accommodate eating, a sink, a cooktop or just a large workspace.  An island can also provide extra storage space.  Most kitchen cabinets will put your counter height at 34 to 36” high, so if you are planning a breakfast bar, you’ll need to drop the height down to 30” or use taller bar stools.

Storage is another main component in kitchen design.  NKBA makes recommendations based on kitchen size as to how much shelf and drawer frontage is needed.  So, for a large kitchen (over 350 sf) you would need 2000”.  This would take into account the width of each individual shelf and drawer in the kitchen.  Remember to use your corner space for storage.  There are decorative shelving options, specially designed lazy-susan corner cabinets and pull-out shelving for base cabinets that put corners to good use.

These basics should get you thinking about how your dream kitchen will function and how much space you need.

Dual Flush Toilet Kits Save Water and Money

Dual Flush toilets are becoming more and more common in new construction. These toilets can perform a full flush, or a flush with half of the amount of water. In most cases, a half-flush is all that is needed to keep the toilet bowl clean. A new dual flush toilet can be expensive and require professional installation, but if you are looking to save water you can install a dual flush retrofit kit on your existing toilet.

These dual flush kits are generally easy to install and fit most existing toilets. Even if you decide to have the kit professionally installed, it will be significantly less expensive than a new dual flush toilet. Dual flush kits allow you to select the amount of water for flushing – 0.8 gallon for a lighter flush and 1.6 gallons when you need more power. Of course, your savings will vary depending on how many people are using the toilet, and how often – basically, how many times is the toilet flushed?

Estimates of how many gallons are saved using a dual flush toilet kit vary widely – from 1,600 gallons per year to 40,000 gallons per year. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that toilets account for 30% of the water used in the home, and that switching an older toilet to a dual flush or other water efficient toilet can save a family of four an average of $2,000 on water bills over the life of the fixture. That’s not a bad return on a minimal investment of time and money.

Easy Bathroom Updates

Updating a tired bathroom is a great way to start the fall. But don’t think you have to get into heavy-duty, dusty demolition and costly renovations. One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make bathroom improvements is to update your bath or shower area with an acrylic liner. These custom-fitted liners fit your existing tub or shower area perfectly, and are guaranteed not to fade, crack or peel for your house’s lifetime.

Liners Direct has been in the liner business for almost 20 years, and is an industry leader in acrylic manufacturing. They offer a variety of colors and have a complete selection of molds for tub and shower models of all ages and sizes.

So, what if you could be looking at a clean, modern shower or bath area in just one day? This is the time of year when out-of-town relatives and friends start booking their trips for Arizona’s warm winter – when is your rotation of houseguests going to start? By taking advantage of the quick turnaround using Liners Direct, you’ll be ready to host Mom and Dad in no time, for a smaller investment than you would expect.

Match your existing bathroom colors, or go in a new direction with a selection of colors and finishes – from granite and marble designs to a clean tile look. Add accessories to enhance your tub or shower, such as shelves, recessed soap dishes or a corner seat. Liners Direct can also provide a custom-fitted window kit that results in a water-tight seal on your existing window. Update the rest of the room with Liners Direct wainscoting for a fresh look with unmatched durability.

Getting excited about the possibility of a top quality bath renovation that is quick and easy? Take a look at these before and after photos for even more ideas.

Free Tickets For Maricopa County Home Show - September 25-27, 2009 AZ State Fairgrounds, Trades Unlimited, Inc.

The Maricopa County Home Show at the AZ State Fairgrounds is coming up next week, and HouseTalk is giving away free home show tickets! All you have to do is tune in to HouseTalk tomorrow morning, Saturday, September 18 on KKNT960 AM and call in to the given number between 10 and noon.

Tomorrow's show will be open phones for any projects for which you need guidance. When you call the show or to the number given on the air for your free tickets, remember to ask for your FREE guides that have been written especially for YOU, the homeowner.

Why have I written guidebooks for you? Let me explain: In the 8+ years of hosting HouseTalk, I have gotten some calls that were cries for help. These cries were a result of people somehow, some way ending up in a very bad situation in regards to satisfactorily getting some work completed in their homes. I have seen situations such as room additions framed and abandoned, bad window installations that left homeowners with multiple water leaks, roofs that failed prematurely, bathrooms left gutted, and way too much more! The point is, of course there are great contractors out there, but there are also some that are not so great. How do you figure out which contractor to hire?

There are three FREE guides, so specify which one you want: Roofing, Window Replacement, or Remodeling.

Welcome again to the HouseTalk show; we'll talk on the air!

See you on the show!

Warren